West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1887-03-31
OLD MRS. C0LE.o
nY 5. a. WEISS.

re - " russ
We'll, l do declare. Mrs. Stebbips
30 you've been up to Banville, and never
vet soul of us know about liz"
"Oh, said Mrs Stcbbins as She
1lighted from wagon AT her own door
and shook hands with Miss Naylor. WHO
happened to be- passing. 'vou see. | oul,
went for day and night. so didn't
think II worth while 10 advertise IL ON tho
church door ! wanted to buy some dry
goods and kitchen things and thcy're
cheaper in Barnyilc than in a little piacc
like this. And besides. there's my niece
Maria, whom | hadn't seen since her last
baby was born and Shcand the baby both
IN poor health. So | thought / migbt a4
well go mp, and so Kill two bird, with
one stone
"To-be-sure And how did YOU find
Maria and the baby! And how are all
the folks in Barnyilct"
well, ] was glad TO find them two
looking pretty smart and spry: and AS for
the rest, didn't hear Of ANYBODY beino
sick or in trouble, unless twas old Mrs,
Cole"
"Ah! So old Mrs. Coles sick," said
Miss Naylor with look of aroused inter
est. "And what is it ails her this timer
why, nothing much, | reckon. | did
hear Marin hollcr to little Betty Cole, and
ask how her gran'ma was to-day: and she
SAID bout the same a. yesterday. Maria
asked If the fever was gone down: but
Just then Jeems came in 10 dinner. so
didn't hear the rest, and foroot 10 ask
Maria about Mrs. Cole"
"Well, WE'LL I'm sorry TO hear she's
SICK, poor soul for she's a good woman
and we can't easy afford to spare such.
But she's well on in years. and I've been
Tuther eXpectin' TO hear OF her being tool,
down, considcrin' she's over sixty. But
law me. / mustn't keep you standin here
10 the street, and you just come home.
tood-by. and depend upon me for comm
round soon to see what pretty things
you've brought"
With this Miss Naylor turned away.
and with her basket on her arm uro.
res.
There she found Mrs. Brown. the house
carpenters wife engaged in chcapcning
calico.
You amt as smart as Miss Stcbbine ''
SAID Miss Naylor, as the two critically
examined the quality OF the calico "Shcts
been mp TO Barnvillc, and laid i'm lot OF
dry-goods and things, for the sake of
saving about twenty-five cents or so. Fo,
my part, ! go for encouraging home
trade. "
"Well, / don't know. Mrs. Brown ne.
piled, doubtfuly Seems to me every.
body's bound TO look out for their own
interest, and ! confess I'd be willing Ia
60 little ont O the way to save twenty.
five cents But what did Sally Stobbiu.
say was the new, in Bauyilc"
Nothing, except that old Miss Coles
down with fever. Miss Stcbbius said .hc
was no better when She left. She's over
sixty, and j wouldn't be- surprised TO hcaI
Of her death any minute"
~ wonder if John Coles wife know.
Of itf She ought 60 Doe told. Tor her hu,.
band mother was second cousin 10 old
Mrs. Colc. and they've got the same
family nnmc. and always been fricndIy.
u she dies they of course goo 90 thc
funeral. as they did when the old man
died, four year. ago
Then Miss Naylor turned t0 the grocer.
les and Mrs. Brown having concluded
her bargain by pcr-uading the merchant
to take q basket Of dried apples iu part
payment for mis- goods, lcft the store and
took her way homcward well pleased
Meeting ndghbor ON the wav. tho
two stopped 60 exchange greeting, and
inquire the news
''That reminds me, said Mrs Brown.
promptly 'l'vc jest this minute parted
from Liza Noylor. and She told mc that
she'd seen AIrs Stcbbins. who Jest from
Bamvillc and left old Mrs Cole as low
rs could be with fever Liza said thay
were every minute expecting hcr death.
and she's no doubt gone by this time.
poor soul She thinks Jane Cole viii po
70 the funeral If she knows Of the old
lady's death
why Of course, they ought to- ecuda
message and let 'cm know. replied Mrs.
Miller They're their own kin. though
not very nigh and naturally they'd go Ia
the funeral
Mrs Miller turned aside two squares to
speak TO Fanny Bates. Mr. John coles
wifc's sister Miss Bates was seated at
her window sewing aud Mrs. Miller
called 60 her
Say, Fanny, does your sister Cole